The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-16
BILLIARD-PLAYING STATESMEN.

Well-Known Men Who May Be Seen Ex-
pertly Handling the Cue in Washington.
Special to the Indianapolis Journaa.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15-It was feared by the
congressional billiardsts when Tom Ochiltree
departed from public life that they and the other
prominent knights of the cue would suffer re-
lapse and their amusement would deteriorate.
For time after Tom, who used to spend hours
aim ost every night in billiard rooms, left the
halls Of legislation for the clubs of New York,
but few prominent men were seen at billiards
Col. Fred Grant used to afford Tom company,
principally, and when he left Washington the
fiery haired Texan was put to his wits end to
hunt companion nightly, for he was very fas.
tidions about his company. and always preferred
to play billiards with stranger when he could
get a man of known distinction. Tom didn't like
to mix with the common herd"
During the present session Representative
Burns, of Missouri; William Walter Phelps of
New Jersey; Wilkins, of Ohio; Tom Bayne. of
Pittsburg. and few others, have formed a CO.
terie, and often playing three ball bill
iards or pool at one Of the prominent rooms
Mr.. Burns is probably the most expert of the
quartet. He learned at home. and knows how
to handle the balls. Like Tom Ochltree, he
nurfeS tDem Wnen AT D1illaruS ana LOSSES tncm
around deftly when the game is pool He talks
much more than does Mr. Phelps while playing,
for the well-known New Jerseyman seems a little
bored when he is making exhibition of him
self in poo-room. Colonel Bayne is known as
a good all around the table biliardist, and he
enjoys the surroundings during a contest and
likes the excitement when the game is evenly
matched, whereas Mr.. Phelps seems to wander
off in his mind to legislation the prospects for
the "Plumed knight in 1888
Reriah Wilkins ie the lataCt addition N the
billiard players, but he is no novice in the art
He chaks his enc and 'rattles" his contestants
with the guys" as Familiarity any profession
al He is very laxative, and the boys say he
seems to think he can play as we'll with his
tongue az with his cue. j. Hart Brewer, of
New jersey, the wellknown potter, who took
such prominent part in the tariff discussion in
the Forty seventh Congress, was an habltue of
the billiard parlors here, and used to round up
Wilkins frequently
Robertson, of Kentucky, often sticks his head
into billiard rooms, but he never cared as mach
for dallying with The cue and balls rs Senator
Beck, who, but for the work he has to do and
the lack of dignity about it, would De about the
billiard rooms much of his time.
Few Of the Southern Senators or Representa-
tives are ever seen in billiard rooms. They come
here from the East and Central States mostly.
| And. strange as it may seem, the public men
| who play billiards most drink the least There
/ are those who would turn up their hoses at the
| suggestion of playing billiards, but would drink
| to excess and never think it wrong
There is the greatest abandon among the sixty
| or seventy-Gve legislators who frequently play
| billiards. Sometimes, hot night they tax.
| off their coats and work like wood savers Sen
| ator Vest it is said can make more work around
billiard table than section hand a railroad
/ can at his work. Senator Ransom moves arount
and rests while he plays. Senator Voorhee
never plays because. they say, he has not tn
| patience, if he had the time. Senator Paine
! likes billiards, but he likes them at the quie
| home way from the noise ard confusion of thu
| crowd. For some unknown reason the amuse
| ment has taken boom of late.